Earth Sciences Professor Among Latest Chancellor's Professors

IUPUI Chancellor Charles R. Bantz recently bestowed the distinguished appointment of Chancellor’s Professors to three deserving faculty- Andrew Barth, professor of earth sciences, Purdue School of Science; Jean Robertson, professor of art history, Herron School of Art and Design; and Richard Ward, professor of anthropology, IU School of Liberal Arts.

The Chancellor’s Professor is the most notable appointment an individual faculty member can attain at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, and recognizes senior faculty members who display a record of extensive accomplishment and leadership in teaching, research and campus service.

“The Chancellor’s Professors are faculty members who have distinguished themselves as researchers, educators and contributors to IUPUI for 10 or more years,” said Bantz. “I seek these colleagues’ counsel and ask for their service because they have demonstrated their leadership, contributions and wisdom.”

Each of the 2012 Chancellor’s Professors has contributed in concrete, demonstrable ways to the development of IUPUI as an academic community of exceptional quality and integrity, and to their disciplines through the creation and application of knowledge. Additionally, this year’s honorees have contributed significantly to the mission and vision of IUPUI.

Andrew Barth Andrew Barth’s research in petrology and in phenomena that contribute to volcanoes have earned him a steady stream of grants from the National Science Foundation, the most competitive and prestigious source of funding for most scientific disciplines. Additionally, he has maintained an outstanding publication record with 48 articles in leading scientific journals over the last 23 years.

Barth has a long history of dedication to IUPUI, serving the department and campus at many levels. His reputation as a critical thinker with the skill to get to the heart of any issue has resulted in repeated requests for his service on a variety of committees, including 13 different committees for the School of Science and 14 committees for the IUPUI campus. Additionally, Barth is a leader in providing the extra student experiences that are unique to IUPUI. His Jaguars Favorite Professor Award illustrates his commitment.

Jean RobertsonJean Robertson is recognized as a leader for her thorough and thoughtful contributions as a researcher, presenter, juror, author, teacher and mentor. Named advisory editor for Contemporary Art at Grove Art Online in 2009, she continues to influence the art history discipline internationally by providing editorial oversight for articles written by other scholars in the field.

Robertson has taught many courses over the years and has consistently been honored with teaching awards, including two Indiana University Trustee Teaching Awards, the IUPUI Teaching Excellence Recognition Award and the Jaguars Favorite Professor Award.

Along with research and teaching, Robertson contributes to the mission and vision of IUPUI through her service activities, including directing many overseas study programs and leading study abroad courses in China, London and Greece.

Richard WardRichard Ward’s career has been characterized by consistent excellence and growth in teaching, research, service and leadership. He is well known and respected for his work instituting the Principles of Undergraduate Learning, which have become a hallmark of IUPUI’s undergraduate education and made an impact nationwide, most prominently forming the basis for the ‘Essential Learning Outcomes’ of the Association of American Colleges and Universities.

Among the most important manifestations of Ward’s impact at IUPUI have been his contributions to student success. As a founding faculty member of University College, he took an early interest in the quest to raise student expectations, improve student support services and integrate best practices, which continue to drive IUPUI’s retention and graduation rates higher.